Protection Sports - BSDCC
Schutzhund
by Glenda Morris
A German word meaning "protection dog", schutzhund evolved over 90 years ago in Europe as a way of testing German shepherd dogs for their suitability for use in breeding programs. Schutzhund today is a sport that all working breeds can train and compete in - if they are capable of doing the work.
Schutzhund involves much more than just bite work. It is a sport that measures a dog’s ability to scent, endurance, stability, willingness to work, agility, and courage.
There are three phases of the sport: tracking, obedience and protection. Each phase is scored out of a possible 100 points. There are three levels in schutzhund (SchH 1-3), and each level increases in difficulty. There are also advanced tracking titles (FH1 & FH2), and an endurance certificate (AD). New titles have been recently added allowing one to compete in tracking (TR1-3) or obedience only (OB1-3). Before attempting any title in schutzhund, the dog must first pass a BH test, which is an assessment of the dog’s obedience level and temperament.
Tracking assesses the dog’s ability to follow the scent in a precise manner and also tests mental and physical endurance. In schutzhund tracking, precision and obedience to the track, rather than how fast the track is done, is what the judge is looking for. Before beginning the track, the dog must pass a temperament test to ensure the dog is not aggressive or shy. The tracking phase (depending on the level) consists of the dog tracking the path of a person (300-600 paces) 20-60 minutes old with 2-4 turns and finding and indicating articles (2-3) dropped by the person on the track. The handler is at the end of a 33ft tracking line. Tracking is on some form of grass or dirt. An FH1 or 2 is considerably more difficult.
The obedience phase tests the dog’s willingness to obey and work with the handler, agility, and temperament. Precision, attention, and speediness are what the judge looks for in obedience. The obedience phase increases in difficulty with each level. It includes heeling exercises, during which the dog is subjected to a gunshot test. The gunshot is to determine how the dog reacts to sharp noises. Next are exercises requiring the dog to sit, down, or stand during heeling while the handler continues to move forward. The dog may be required to perform a recall from these stationary positions. The dog then has to retrieve dumbbells of varying weights (650gms-2000gms). This is done on a flat surface, over a one-metre hurdle and over a 1.8-metre scaling wall. In the sendaway, the dog must run quickly in a straight line away from the handler and immediately down on command. An honour down is performed in schutzhund. One dog is on a long down while another dog is working. At the level 3, the handler is out of sight. All exercises are performed off leash except in the BH test.
The protection phase tests the courage, agility, physical strength, and obedience of the dog. Full, calm, hard bites and convincing guarding are essential in a good schutzhund dog. The level of control of the dog required by the handler is very important. In the protection phase, the dog must first search a series of blinds (2-6) where the decoy (bad guy) may be hiding. Upon finding the decoy, the dog performs a bark and hold (guard) until the handler reaches the dog. The dog must also prevent escape of the decoy while the handler is out of sight and must release on its own as soon as the decoy stops, or immediately on command. The dog and handler then escorts (transports) the decoy with the dog remaining in heel position. The dog must prevent an attack on the handler (levels 2 & 3). The final test is the courage test in which the dog is sent after the decoy that is running at the handler, yelling and threatening the dog with a stick. The dog must not hesitate in taking down the decoy.
Schutzhund is a sport enjoyed by people all over the world and is not just a sport, but also a lifestyle. It requires sacrifice and dedication. The final product - a schutzhund dog - is achieved through years of training.
Glenda & Luca (Kanduit's I'll Give it a Go SchH3, IPO3, AD, TD, CD, CGN)
Glenda is a member of the Atlantic Section of the BSDCC. Visit Glenda at her internet home Amplifyre Malinois
For more information on Schutzhund please visit the following Web sites.
German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Canada: www.gsscc.ca
United Schutzhund Clubs of America: www.germanshepherddog.com
American Working Malinois Association: www.workingmalinois.org